Evergreen Trees
For Christmas Trees page
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Roman And
Egyptian Customs
The traditional Christmas
tree is a much-adored emblem, straight away envisioning
presents and family cheer. There are numerous delightful
associations with ancient traditions. Roman and Egyptian
customs, early Christian practices and Victorian nostalgia all
combine to give us our contemporary festive Christmas
tree.
Bulgarian Fir
Greek Fir Abies Cephalonica
The Greek
Fir Abies Cephalonica is a fir native to the mountains of
Greece, predominantly in the Peloponnesos and the island of
Kefallinia, intergrading with the closely related Bulgarian Fir
further north in the Pindus Mountains of northern Greece. The
Greek Fir Abies Cephalonica is a medium-size evergreen
coniferous tree growing to 25-35m, occasionally to 40m tall and
with a trunk of up to 1m diameter is frequently used as a
Christmas tree.
Pine Tree And
Sacred Fir-Tree
Ancient Greeks called the
tree "Pitys" and, collectively with the pine-tree, were sacred
to Pan. Legend reminds us that Pan was once besotted with a
nymph called Pity, as also was the god of the North wind. Pity
selected Pan and the wind god, who insulted, humiliated, and
blew her over a gorge to her death. Pan discovered her lifeless
body and made her into his sacred Fir-tree. From that day,
whenever the North wind blows, you can hear Pity crying, with
her tears being the droplets of pitch that seep out from the
fir-cones every autumn / fall.
 Revered And
Potent
Great Tree of Life
Scandinavian Yggdrasil
Ever since ancient times, evergreen trees have been highly
revered as a depiction of sexual potency and fertility, and
took on an important role in winter celebrations. Maybe the
Christmas tree is a lesser adaptation of the Scandinavian
Yggdrasil, which is the mythological tree between heaven and
hell in the Northern Scandinavian culture known as the Great
Tree of Life. In Northern Europe, the evergreen is a welcome
reminder that the lengthy dark nights of winter will end and
the green fresh plant growth of spring will come again. On
December 17th the Roman feast Saturnalia commemorated the
dedication of the temple of the god Saturn. Romans would
decorate their trees with suns, candles and small pieces of
metal much as we do today when we carry our trees into our
homes and embellish them with modern and traditional Christmas
ornaments and bright lights.
Yule
Green Palms
Royal Connection
Throughout the winter solstice, Egyptians brought green palms
into their homes to symbolise the triumphant conquest of life
over death. Living trees in large containers were taken into
homes for the duration of the old German feast of Yule. Prince
Albert, husband and Consort of Queen Victoria, continued with
the German tradition by adorning a tree with candles, candies,
fruits and gingerbread. Even though, in those times, generally
adverse to anything German in origin, the English public held
enormous warmth for their Queen and soon adopted the custom for
themselves.
Evergreen Trees For Christmas
Trees
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